Knockout victory lands Johnson bout in semis

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CMC):

Glen Johnson defied age on Saturday and knocked out Allan Green in the eighth round of the Super Six World Boxing Classic to advance to the semi-finals.

The Jamaica-born Johnson, aged 41, landed a brutal right-left combination that sent Green sprawling to the canvas, and left him unable to beat the referee's count in the MGM Grand Casino.

"Green is a good fighter who throws quick combinations," said Johnson. "I knew I had to be patient and that my time would come.

"It's so gratifying to win. I have dedicated a lot of time to this business and I have had my ups and downs in boxing. But I never quit and I worked for this opportunity. I intend to make the most of it."

'Great heart'

Johnson added: "I feel great at (super middleweight). It was a lot easier to get down than I thought. And age has nothing to do with anything. I may fight into my 60s.

"I want to say that I love Allan Green like a brother. He has a great heart. He is a great human being. My only regret is that we can't both continue in the Super Six tournament. We competed and we left it in the ring."

The result earned Johnson three points on the Super Six leader board and the final spot in the semis.

He will learn his semi-final opponent, following the final group stage bout on Saturday, November 27, between Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch (both of whom have already qualified for the semis).

"It doesn't matter to me which guy (Froch or Abraham) I fight, because I always fight the best," said Johnson, also known as 'The Road Warrior'.

"I'm sure I'll have to go to Germany or the United Kingdom to one of their hometowns, but that's okay ... . We'll go do it."

When the fight ended, Johnson was ahead 68-65 on one of the judges' scorecard, and Green was leading 67-66 on two of the judges' scorecards.

Still, Johnson had looked in control of the fight in the early rounds and was far more aggressive than Green.

Johnson wobbled Green in the third round with an uppercut and continued to punish his opponent.

Green unsettled

Johnson's clinching, use of his head to gain position, and body work, had Green unsettled before he put him away.

Johnson, 51-14 with two draws and 35 knockouts, was fighting at super mid-

dleweight for the first time in 10 years.

He is seeking a title chance by filling in for Danish fighter Mikkel Kessler, who had an eye injury.

Green, 29-3 with 20 knockouts, replaced injured countryman Jermain Taylor in the field.

The Super Six World Boxing Classic is a tournament for the World Boxing Associa-tion and World Boxing Council super middleweight titles.